Secretary discusses CNMI's $50M infrastructure needs and staffing challenges in Homestead program

The Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature's recent meeting highlighted critical infrastructure funding challenges and staffing issues within the Department of Public Lands (DPL) and the Homestead program. A significant concern raised was the estimated cost of bringing essential services like water and sewer to the As Gono area, which could range from $11 million to potentially $18 million due to inflation and rising construction costs.

The discussion revealed that previous funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) had been anticipated for these infrastructure projects but has since become unavailable, leaving the DPL without the necessary resources to move forward. The lack of clarity regarding which agency—either the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation (CUC) or the general fund—holds responsibility for these infrastructure developments further complicates the situation.

In addition to funding woes, the meeting underscored the limited capacity of the DPL's Homestead program, which currently operates with only three employees and one director. This small team is tasked with overseeing compliance for homesteaders across the islands, managing a backlog of over 2,500 applicants since 1997. The representatives expressed concern over the staffing shortages and the heavy workload, suggesting that increasing salaries or providing overtime could help alleviate some of the pressure on these employees.

The meeting concluded with a call for better resource allocation and clearer communication between agencies to ensure that infrastructure projects can proceed and that the Homestead program can effectively serve the community. As the legislature moves forward, the implications of these discussions will be closely monitored, particularly regarding how they will impact the residents of the Northern Mariana Islands seeking access to essential services and housing opportunities.